Fulbright Program reinstated for Bahamian students

The Bahamas and the United States yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding to re-establish the Fulbright Program for Bahamian students.

“As we look towards a more prosperous future, we understand the basic principle that education is the root from which all our relationships will bloom,” said Caroline Casagrande, who serves as the deputy assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

“It is not every day, as a government official, you get sent somewhere to deliver exceptionally good news and I am thrilled to announce today that the United States and The Bahamas will be reopening the Fulbright Program to students from The Bahamas.”

The Fulbright Program operates in more than 160 countries worldwide and has provided approximately 370,000 participants with the opportunity to study, teach or conduct research and exchange ideas.

The program was established in 1946 by U.S. Senator J. William Fulbright to fund the promotion of international goodwill through the exchange of students in the fields of education, culture and science.

While describing the signing as “momentous”, Minister of Education Jeffrey Lloyd noted that yesterday’s signing marked the first time since 1996 that the program would be offered to Bahamians.

During the signing, Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis said, “We look forward to a new generation of Bahamian scholars and artists becoming Fulbright scholars. Our vision as a country is to help foster the development of 21st century global citizens who are creative, open to growth, analytical and committed to the promotion of justice for all people.”

He added, “I am thrilled that we are rejoining the prestigious Fulbright Visiting Scholar Programme, which provides grants to approximately 800 foreign scholars from over 95 countries to lecture and/or conduct postdoctoral research at U.S. institutions.”

Bahamian Fulbright scholars include: former Governor General Dame Ivy Dunmont; Dr. Brendamae Cleare, the president of the Lowell J. Mortimer Maritime Academy; and E. Clement Bethel, who served as the first director of culture in The Bahamas.